

This rain poncho is best suited for serious backpackers who need a high-quality pack cover and rain poncho. The Cedar Tree Packa might be the best rain poncho for hiking and backpacking ever made.

The extra weight is not good for ultralight backpacking. The Mil-Tec poncho is best for bad weather and heavy wind. But if you buy on Amazon, you can return it if it has defects. Furthermore, some have complained about quality control issues like receiving a poncho with defects. Be aware that this poncho is made in China, not Germany, as some claim. The hood has a drawstring and there are ties on the corners, making it more convenient for other purposes like a rainfly or shelter.

If you get two, they can snap together to make an emergency shelter. It’s made from polyester and coated in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) making it quite a bit heavier (1.72 pounds) and not breathable, but very waterproof material (5000 mm rating). It’s meant to be a military poncho and even though it’s not really, it’s still the toughest poncho on this list, making it the best rain poncho for hiking in terms of durability. The Mil-Tec Poncho is mid-range in price but high in toughness. It’s just not the best option for serious backpackers. The Charles River Apparel Pacific Rain Poncho might be the best rain poncho for you if you want an affordable poncho that still does a good job and looks stylish. It’s probably ok if you have small pack and are out on a day hike but not if you’re on a long backpacking trip. The only downside is that there’s not much space to cover a large backpack. It has a drawstring hood and buttons on the neck for extra protection in heavy rain. It features heat-sealed seams to protect from leaks. It is made with New Englander polyurethane as an outer layer bonded to a knit backing, so it feels soft inside but waterproof on the outside. It is made well with high quality materials and comes at a very reasonable price, making this one of the best rain ponchos for hiking. The Charles River Apparel Pacific Poncho looks much more stylish than most rain ponchos, making it suitable for more outdoor activities than just hiking.
